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Sanguine et Purpure
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Historical Perspective of Fraternity Rituals
Some of the
Common Characteristics of Ancient Rituals:
 | A physical or symbolic
purification of the neophyte. |
| A symbolic journey
either observed or participated in by the neophyte. Tests of courage,
physical ability. Accompanied by an initiate or guide. |
| The teaching of secrets
(ritual ceremony), including symbols, objects, and means of
identifying other initiates. It included the nvestiture of a symbol of
initiation (crown, tattoo or scar, jewelry, etc.) |
| An interpretation or
inspiration, by lecture, on the expectations of future behavior
based on the values presented in the initiation. |
| Sometimes there were degrees
or multiple levels of initiation, often with a waiting period of a
year or more between each.
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Greek
Mysteries (Orphic and Eleusinian)
Eleusinian Mysteries
People traveled from around
the Roman Empire to ask to receive these mysteries. The first degree of
the initiation was conducted once per year, with another degree available
after a one year waiting period. The most important part of the festival
included a play based on Greek mythological play of the abduction of Kote
(often known as Persephone), daughter of Demeter (Goddess of the Corn and
with Dionysus they were the supreme gods of the Earth). Demeter goes on a
journey in search of Persephone. The journey takes her through the
underworld, and the theme of death and rebirth using agricultural
symbolism becomes central to the initiation.
Elements included:
| Purification
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| Communication
of the mystics
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| Exposition
of "holy" objects and symbols
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| Investiture
by crowning with a garland.
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Orphic Mysteries
Performed by the Dionysian
cult (Dionysus was God of Life and Earth, also lord of the world of
souls).
Elements included animal sacrifice.
Mithraism
Mithras, God of Light. The
neophyte went through 7 degrees representing the seven spheres through
which the soul passes on its way to perfection. The neophyte was a
"servant" until completing the third degree (similar to the
current practice of Freemasonry). The seven degrees were:
| 1.
The Raven-the servant of the sun.
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| 2.
The Occult-signifying hidden things.
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| 3.
The Soldier-signifying holy warfare against evil.
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| 4.
The Lion-symbolic of fire.
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| 5.
The Persian-symbolic of ancient origins.
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| 6.
Heliodromus-courier of the Sun.
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| 7.
Fatherhood-bringing the participant into the brotherhood for the rest
of his life.
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Rituals in
early Christianity
Symbolism of death and rebirth
in the baptism in water.
People to be baptized were clothed in white, a symbol of purity, a custom
still seen today.
Marriage ceremony (symbolism of rings, reference to miracles, expression
"What God has joined together let no man put asunder")
Ordination of deacons by the apostles (laying on of hands by the apostles
still practiced today in the ordination of priests)
Other Ritualistic
Ceremonies
| Baptism, marriage,
ordination of priests, confirmation, Bah Mitzvah, Communion, funerals,
etc. |
| Graduation ceremonies,
induction of officers, ceremonies marking attainment of a level of
achievement (induction into Hall of Fames, insurance sales clubs, real
estate sales clubs, etc).
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